John -
An interesting meditation on the increasingly important intersection of the real and the virtual. Unfortunately I am old-fashioned and unable to reciprocate.
Did you just say "class"? I did not know your bourgeometer went up that high. At least you did not make reference to "pure class" or call me a gentleman. My grandfather did not drink, did not swear, did not raise his voice, did not get divorced, wore a suit to the grocery store, tipped his hat to the ladies, and was saluted on the street by those who had served under him. There's your gentleman.
What can I say? I went to dinner with Mike Sweeney and a friend of mine last month. Afterwards, Mike said that our companion was a "good guy". Without thinking, and rather defensively, I said "no, he's a great guy". In this day and age we have to have the best of everything, including e-quaintances. Thus, based on what I have read here, I have to conclude that we are 1500 of the greatest guys who have ever lived.
And you, my friend, are the one who writes like Moliere, sounds like Sling Blade on the phone, and, I think, turns into Frederick Exley after dinner. Virtual will always be just fine with me.